Heroes Who Melt More than Snow and Ice

Stories are much more than tales waiting to be told. Plots eager to unfold. Scenery details prepared to engage a reader and transport them to another time and place. Conversations that give clues as to motivations and impending conflicts.

My favorite part of the fiction-writing process is creating the characters that “live” on those manuscript pages. Most of all, I enjoy the research involved in creating heroes. Each trip to the mall, grocery store or local home-project place brings an opportunity to observe the guys in the aisles—some of whom eventually serve as prototypes for storybook heroes.

If I were to ask romance readers what “makes” a hero, I could guess some of their responses. Some would say a hero is a man who fights for his family and his beliefs. Others would suggest he’s a lifesaver in more ways than one. A good number would contend he is someone who defeats the enemy.

Whatever the cause or circumstance, I know a hero is a man who doesn’t mind sacrifice—in some form or another—when it comes to those he loves. Selflessness in the name of love, respect and honor.

Several snowfalls snarled or suspended highway travel recently. Thawing and refreezing in between the storms also made for slower travel on foot. Suffice it to say, my hero melted more than the ice and snow layers—he melted my heart. Whether armed with the shovel or a snow blower, he cleared my driveway without delay and before completely clearing his own. During a recent spree of vandalism in my development, his help was timely and treasured. His loving actions spoke far louder than any words and showed me how much he cared.

And his kisses certainly warmed me from head to toe better than any mug of coffee, tea or hot chocolate ever could.

Share your thoughts about heroes, readers, and how they’ve made a wonderful difference in your world at one time or all the time.